Jets TakeOff! Week 6 Preview: New York Jets vs Indianapolis Colts

Oct. 8, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan (right) stands on the sidelines with offensive coordinator Tony Sparano against the Houston Texans during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Texans won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

Despite the offensive struggles, the Jets come into week 6 with a 2-3 record, one game out of first place in the division. Tomorrow is the final game in a three game homestand as Andrew Luck, Reggie Wayne and the rest of the Indianapolis Colts come into MetLife to facde our New York Jets. The Colts are coming off an emotional win over the Green Bay Packers, in wake of head coach Chuck Pagano’s diagnosis. Let’s take a look at the history between these two teams:

The Colts lead the overall series between these two teams, 40-26, and have won seven out of the last 10 meetings. The last regular season meeting was in December of 2009, when the Jets won 29-15, on the back of a 105 yard rushing performance of Thomas Johes. Don’t forget the last time they met in the playoffs in 2010, when Nick Folk beat Peyton Manning and company with a last second field goal. The last time they met in New Jersey was in October of 2006, when Manning let the Colts on a comeback drive to win a late 31-28 victory.

Here are some keys to victory:

Oct 7, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) celebrates the victory against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeated Green Bay 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

GET IN ANDREW LUCK’S FACE

Quarterbacks do not like to have a pass rush in their face, and young quarterbacks have a rougher time with it. The speed of the action in the NFL is the biggest change for a young quarterback, and a good rush is what brings that out the most. The Jets are going to have to do something on Sunday that they have not been good at in 2012, getting to the quarterback. They are not getting their with the front four, despite their claims that they have gotten younger and faster.

Rex Ryan and Mike Pettine are going to have to create a creative gameplan, that opens up the bag of tricks in the blitz department. They need to get into Andrew Luck’s face early and often, not giving him time to work with his main squeeze, Reggie Wayne, or anybody else.

And that brings us to a major matchup in the football game:

REGGIE WAYNE VS ANTONIO CROMARTIE

During the offseason, all of the experts were waiting for Reggie Wayne to follow Peyton Manning anywhere he went, which turned out to be Denver as we all know. Everyone was surprised when Reggie signed a new deal with the Colts, but it has paid big dividends for the young Andrew Luck. He leads the team with 36 receptions for 506 yards and 2 TDs.

The spotlight once again falls on Antonio Cromartie. He did a wonderful job taking Andre Johnson out of the football game. Wayne will be moved around, so Cromartie may not be on him EVERY play, but he will be with him a majority of the game. Antonio has to take out Luck’s best weapon.

Oct. 8, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Shonn Greene (23) carries the ball against the Houston Texans during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Texans won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

GET THE RUNNING GAME GOING

We all have seen how disgusting the running game has been so far in 2012. Well, if ever the Jets were going to get it going, this would be just the week to do it. Despite their 2-2 record, the Colts run defense has not been much better than that of the Jets, ranked only 26th in the league. The Colts are giving 4.7 yards per carry on the ground, a number that is just right for the taking.

Rex Ryan has made it known that Shonn Greene is still the starting running back, although they will continue to have a rotation at the position. Can Shonn Greene be the guy to finally get the running game going? Now, that is a subject that everyone feels strongly about isn’t it? Despite all of that, Shonn Greene and company will have the opportunity to prove their worth on Sunday afternoon.

Hopefully they will do so.

MARK SANCHEZ HAS TO BE ACCURATE

Another one that is pretty obvious, and another intense topic amongst the inhabitants of Jets Nation.

The critics have been out in full force, wanting to know when, not if, Mark Sanchez’s career in a Jets uniform is going to end. He has not played well, ranked at the bottom of the NFL’s starting quarterbacks. Injuries, the offensive line, and the lack of weapons around him have not helped. That being the case, Mark has continued to be horrifically inconsistent, that makes everyone wonder if he can get the job done. As we talked about earlier in the week, for every great throw Mark Sanchez makes, he makes one that makes you wonder what he is thinking about.

The Colts have allowed opposing quarterbacks an over 100 rating. Mark will have every chance to play well on Sunday. It could very well be the last chance he gets if he doesn’t play well.

There is your week 6 preview. Thanks for reading.